In this issueUK Muslim scholars unanimously reject mechanical slaughter

KFC introduces controversial HalalHMC launches new annual certifi cate

First HMC certifi ed schoolWhat’s in my donner kebab

HMC logo abuseHMC continues it’s growthFighting the Qurbani scam

Fiqh cornerRevert appalled by KFC

Issue 13 | February 2010 the off icial newsletter of the Halal Monitoring Committee

A Unanimous Decision The rejection of mechanical slaughter

Halal Monitoring Committee | Helping Muslims Choose

UK Muslim Scholars Unanimously Reject Mechanical SlaughterIn the largest independent survey of Muslim Scholars conducted in the UK concerning Halal and Halal standards, there was a unanimous rejection of mechanical slaughter in the UK from all scholars.

We would like to wish all our readers a belated Eid Mubarak and pray that the blessed months from Ramadan through to Hajj came as a source of attaining forgiveness and taqwa.

Alhamdulillah through the grace of the Almighty, HMC continues to help the Muslim community in an essential element of their deen and the awareness and demand for HMC is increasing throughout the country. Since its inception, the Muslim community is much more aware around the issues and challenges within the halal market and have expressed great satisfaction to have an alternative available in comparison to the ‘unmonitored, uninspected, controversial criteria halal’ prevalent in the market.

In the summer, HMC was invited on debates hosted by the Islam Channel. The audience based debate categorically showed overwhelming support for the criteria and methodology adopted by HMC; 99% of the audience rejected the concept of mechanical slaughter. Media agencies from the BBC, Talksport, Radio Leicester, Radio Derbyshire, Radio Lancashire have all contacted HMC to speak on behalf of the Muslim community on the subject of halal. The Muslim Council of Britain held a session at its AGM and again scholars and the Muslim public present all endorsed the work of HMC as the halal body of the UK representing the views of the Muslim community.

All of us within HMC, employed, volunteers and supporters are extremely grateful to the Almighty for granting us the opportunity to undertake this great responsibility on behalf of the Muslim community and pray that He grants us all sincerity and steadfastness. We request all our readers to continually remember us in your supplications, pray for the organisation and its success, and support the cause financially too through charitable donations.

Chairman

In June 2009, an independent online survey was commissioned by HMC through Ajax Consultants to understand the scholarly opinions on Halal in the UK.

Responses were received from 282 imams and muftis from over 25 towns and cities covering, London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Leicester, Manchester, Blackburn, Reading, Preston, Dewsbury and many more cities across the UK.

The survey asked several questions covering issues on the acceptance of mechanical slaughtering, stunning of animal prior to slaughter, recitation of tasmiyah, and views on the current exemptions in UK and European law.

The Summary of the findings are outlined below:

95%of the Ulama do not accept “mechanical slaughter” as an accepted method of Halal slaughter in Islam (2.1% want to understand the issue further)

99.7% stated that Bismillah should be prayed individually by person slaughtering (not taped or person standing on the side)

90% rejected electrical stunning of chickens (9% welcomed further research)

85% rejected electrical stunning of larger animals (9% welcomed further research)

99% expressed preference for non-stunned

100%saw the need for the continuation of religious exemption allowing Muslims and Jews to practice their religious beliefs (prophetic method of slaughter)

The survey included responses from 32 Muftis, 201 Ulama and 49 Imams.

HMC Chairman Shaykh Yunus Dudhwala commented, “This survey is the largest of its kind conducted in the UK and sets clear guidelines of acceptability and standards for Halal in this country. It further endorses the standard of Halal that HMC has followed since its inception in 2003”.

Nadeem Adam, Operations Manager at HMC said, “People will be surprised to learn of the widespread use of mechanical slaughter in the provision of Halal poultry in the UK. There are many UK superstores that need to be aware of the message from UK scholars and should ensure their Halal products are at a standard acceptable to their Muslim consumers. HMC’s universal standard is the only way to ensure acceptance by all”.

The Halal Food Authority (HFA) accepts mechanical slaughter and has continually been probed and asked to provide views from Muslim scholars for their accepted practices. To date no response and views have been received from HFA Scholars. We also ask HFA to listen to the views of the UK Muslim community who they claim to serve.

Earlier this year, Malaysia, a country at the forefront of Halal, known as the Halal Hub of the World, listened to the scholars of the world and removed mechanical slaughter from its Halal standards. It will be interesting to see if a Halal certifier in the UK (HFA) will listen to the views of Muslim scholars and the public and remove the use of mechanical slaughter from its halal standard.

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After McDonalds in Southall introduced a Halal menu with standards that are not accepted by the majority of Muslims in the UK, another multi-national corporation has joined the bandwagon to exploit the growing Muslim consumer market.

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KFC introduces controversial Halal

Useful links

KFC introduced its so-called Halal menu in eight of its branches across London in May on a trial basis. HMC has received scores of e-mails, texts and phone calls asking us about the Halal status of these eight branches. On making enquiries to KFC and the certifying body, it becomes apparent that not much has changed at the slaughter house in order to introduce Halal certification, with the mechanical slaughter method still continuing at the plant.

The certification body who has issued KFC with the certificate seems to have been bombarded with complaints from the Muslim community, with regards to controversial standards in terms of the mechanical slaughter method they employ. Their standard reply has been, ‘please be advised that mechanised slaughter does not render the chicken/bird Haram!’

But many Muslims who have contacted HMC have been appalled by the lack of integrity shown by KFC and the certifying body in light of the fatawa and rulings from senior scholars around the world.

Brother Kelvin, a Muslim revert from East London sent us a lengthy e-mail about his experience which has been reproduced on page 11.

Mechanical slaughter is an extremely controversial method of slaughter within Islam. It is not about Muslims being backward as has been claimed, nor is it about refusing to accept new technology; it is more importantly about whether the new technology being implemented fulfils the conditions of valid Islamic slaughter.

The majority of scholars in the UK are of the opinion that this method does not fulfil the dhabiha method. This issue has been a bone of contention for many years at the World Halal Forum in Malaysia where international countries and organisations meet annually to discuss issues of Halal. Finally, this year even Malaysia who had previously advocated for machine slaughter has removed machine slaughter from its Halal standard.

HMC welcomes all companies large or small to introduce Halal options on their

menu, but any Halal introduced should be that which the Muslim community at large considers to be Halal, not a controversial standard or an opinion of a few rogue individuals.

Halal is a very important aspect of a Muslim’s life and the integrity of Halal should not be compromised to make profit on the back of the innocent, unsuspecting Muslim community.

If you want to make your opinion known to KFC about this controversial Halal standard, send your comments on the KFC website www.kfc.co.uk/about-kfc/halal/

HMC advises Muslims to be cautious when dining out and if unsure, consult your local Scholars.

In matters of Halal and Haram we should take the path of caution.

May Allah guide us to understand the truth and act according to His pleasure. If in doubt leave it out!

Detailed Fatawa relating to machine slaughter from various Scholars can be read on the following links:

www.bouti.com/fatawas.php?PHPSESSID=a&id=3022www.askimam.org/fatwa/fatwa.php?askid=2056cd51302e26a5125b0648ae91db85www.ziaulmustafa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=12www.daruliftaa.com/question.asp?txt_QuestionID=q-05554697www.itc-bradford.org/daruliftaa/attachments/47/MachineSlaughter.docwww.halalmc.net/resources/mechanical_slaughter.html

Answers by Muftis related specifically to the KFC trial can be found on the following links:

www.as-suffa.org/Halal-or-Haram/HFA-or-HMC.html www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2/index.php?page=viewquestion&id=232

For a comprehensive understanding and in-depth analysis of Islamic Laws of Slaughtering, we encourage readers to purchase the book entitled ‘The Islamic Laws of Animal Slaughter’ by the world renowned scholar Shaykh Taqi Usmani available online at www.azharacademy.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=1609.

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HMC has launched a new larger A3 certifi cate for all its certifi ed outlets; restaurants and butchers. The certifi cate is validated monthly with tamper proof seals. The new A3 size makes it more visible and prominent for consumers to see.

The general public are reminded that the assurance of HMC Halal only comes from seeing “a yellow HMC sticker and a valid A3 certifi cate within the shop”. Without these, outlets cannot be HMC approved. This can also be verifi ed through the outlets listing on the website that is regularly updated.

Some shops are making false claims to be HMC approved when they are not, so please always ask if you cannot see these certifi cates on site and in sight!

Look out for these visible signs at HMC outlets; restaurant and butchers. Without these, any claims of HMC are not true!

HMC operates a regular random inspection system at all its certifi ed outlets. If a shop is found to stock non-certifi ed meat or poultry, certifi cates are revoked immediately.

Shaykh Bashir Bhikha, a monitor in Leicester said, “The HMC monitoring system, allows me the ‘right’ to go and check the fridges, store rooms, stock on display and also verify receipts and proof of purchase. This level of checking takes the burden of responsibility away from consumers and enables HMC to have a comprehensive system”.

We urge all consumers to support the scheme and buy from HMC approved stores with assurance.

HMC Launches NEW Annual Certifi cate

Window sticker Certifi cate

We are cert

Warning! Products listed on certificates displayed inside

We are cert

www.halalmc.co.uk Tel: 0870 240 7267

All HMC Shops have the above to be surely certifi ed.

Look out for 1) HMC Yellow Sticker (on the shop window) 2) Valid Certifi cate inside the shop 3) Check the website for further verifi cation

Alhamdulillah, in June this year, through the grace of the Almighty, we were pleased to announce the very first school in the UK to be HMC certified. Tauheed-ul-Islam Girls High School and Sixth Form College in Blackburn, one of the best performing schools in the country, became HMC certified in June 2009.

For the past two years, HMC has been working in partnership with Lancashire Council of Mosques to certify Halal school meals. After much effort and work, the accreditation of the first school was received by the Assistant Principal Moulana Munir. On receiving the certification, Moulana Munir said, “Despite being a Muslim school, it was of paramount importance for us to be certified by an independent non-profit making organisation like HMC. The fraudulent nature of the market means

doubtful products are entering into every sector of the Halal market and we realised the education sector is no different. We would strongly advise all schools to follow suit.”

Schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, and prisons are making genuine efforts in our multi-faith and multi-cultural society to provide the needs of different faiths and cultures. For this reason, we find Halal, Kosher, and Vegetarian regularly on the menu of many public institutions. But it is imperative; in fact a responsibility on public institutions to provide Halal that is recognised as truly Halal by the community they serve. To introduce Halal with standards that are not accepted by the majority of the Muslim community defeats the purpose of providing food labelled ‘Halal’ in the first place.

We do not see this type of discord and lack of integrity in Kosher or Vegetarian, so why should this be accepted practice within Halal?

We encourage parents to take caution and verify the supply of Halal in their schools. HMC would be happy to offer advice and support to parents, schools and councils to provide the assurance of Halal to those parents who wish to ensure their children are eating Halal food in their schools and community.

First HMC Certified School

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HMC are constantly striving to protect the HMC logo and brand to help consumers purchase HMC products with confidence and we ask for your vigilance to inform HMC when you notice claims from outlets or product manufacturers that you may suspect are abusing the trademark logo. If in doubt, please check our website or contact us at info@halalmc.org.

Recently, HMC was informed of Butterfly Snacks (Blackburn) whose products were carrying the HMC Logo and trademark. HMC has never monitored or inspected this product and after several notices to explain the terms of logo use and abuse and persistent disregard of notices, HMC has been left with no choice except to have issued legal proceedings against the

HMC Logo AbuseIncreasingly restaurants, butchers and product manufacturers have been claiming to be HMC approved when in fact they have made no arrangements to be monitored or inspected (a pre-requisite requirement for HMC approval).

manufacturer for logo abuse and false claims of HMC approval.

Moulana Hanif Dudhwala commented, “We have asked for the logo abuse to stop or inspection system to be instituted. Neither has been done, so we are left with little option for redress. He further explains, “HMC implements an authenticated system, one that the Muslim public can have full confidence and assurance in their choice of buying HMC certified products leaving no doubts in their minds. Butterfly Snacks has not followed this route”.

We thank our consumers for placing trust in HMC and we will Insha-Allah continue to strive for authenticated genuine Halal products.

ConCerned? then Report It!We urge all readers to report any concerns about HMC certified products, outlets, logo abuse or any other matter by e-mail on concern@halalmc.org

Some years ago, HMC was approached by a donner manufacturer wishing to become HMC certifi ed. On receiving their application, a HMC auditor arranged a visit to the plant production site. As per HMC criteria, a tour of the whole site took place and he was shown the different areas and all seemed to be fi ne. Suddenly, to the shock and amazement of the auditor, he noticed some drums and containers full of pig heads!

Dumbfounded and taken aback, he asked the site manager, ‘What is this?’ The manager replied very calmly, ‘Oh, this is added in very small quantities to the donner for taste!’ He was not fl ustered, there was no concern, and the thought did not seem to cross his mind that this is totally contrary to the concept of ‘Halal’. Obviously this company was advised that they could not be certifi ed unless certain changes were made. This was a shocking revelation that we mentioned

in our Newsletter No. 10. HMC did not wish to alarm the Muslim community and therefore although mentioned in the Newsletter, it was not given central headlines. However, the issue has since been picked up by some local and national press.

The ‘Asian Express’ newspaper based in Lancashire featured an article in September 2008 when they found similar evidence of traces of pork in donner kebabs tested in laboratories in the North West. In January 2009 the national media picked up on the story when the Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services (Lacors) study found similar traces of pork in donner kebabs that they had tested in various councils across the UK see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7852168.stm.

These revelations are extremely shocking for the Muslim community who rely on the trust of individuals who work in the Halal meat and poultry trade. This also shows the need for a certifi cation organisation like HMC that has its own independent personnel present at critical points of the Halal journey to give confi dence to the Muslim consumer. This allows Muslim consumers to eat HMC certifi ed donner kebabs with peace of mind.

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STORES NOW OPEN!

WEMBLEY413-415 High RoadWembley, HA9 7AB

SOUTHALL168 The BroadwaySouthall, UB1 1NN

HENDON11 Watford Way

Hendon, NW4 3JL

Fresh, GrilledPiri Piri Chicken

HMC APPROVED HMC APPROVED HMC APPROVED

evidence of traces of pork in donner kebabs tested in laboratories in the North West. In January 2009 the national media picked up on the story when the Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services (Lacors) study

tested in various councils across

What’s in my Donner Kebab?

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STORES NOW OPEN!

WEMBLEY413-415 High RoadWembley, HA9 7AB

SOUTHALL168 The BroadwaySouthall, UB1 1NN

HENDON11 Watford Way

Hendon, NW4 3JL

Fresh, GrilledPiri Piri Chicken

HMC APPROVED HMC APPROVED HMC APPROVED

The number of HMC certifi ed butchers, restaurants and plants has increased by over 228%. As awareness and issues of Halal has been raised, people are realising the need for assurance and certifi cation.

Scandals of pork contamination, the continual exposure of Halal abuse in the mainstream media, businesses who sell to deceive for profi t, and the realisation that the word “Halal” is no guarantee of authenticity anymore, have become a key factor in HMC becoming the trusted certifi cation organisation in the UK Alhamdulillah.

Waqar Akhlaq of Al-Kauser Superstore (formerly Al Noor Food Stores) from Reading said, “I joined HMC because it gave my consumers total confi dence in the products I sell. It takes the signifi cant burden of responsibility off me at a nominal cost of just £1 per day. I have seen more customers, many who have been delighted since I have become HMC approved”.

The number of towns and cities joining HMC has been on the increase signifi cantly over the past 18 months, with Reading, Gillingham, Huddersfi eld, Leeds, Walsall & Darleston, Manchester, Burnley, Halifax and many more areas requesting HMC’s monitoring system.

HMC runs awareness campaigns all over the country and if you would like to invite HMC to come and present an

event in your city or town just email info@halalmc.org.

Together we can ensure we have genuine Halal in the UK for ourselves and our next generation of children.

HMC Continues its Growth!Only through the Grace of the Almighty, the prayers of our supporters and the effort of our workers, Alhamdulillah HMC has seen an explosive growth for demand of its certifi ed shops and products over the past two years.

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“There is so much doubt in the provision of Halal and we welcome HMC for our Muslim consumers who can now consume with assurance”, said Imam Abdul Hannan of Reading.

Alhamdulillah through the grace of the Almighty, HMC continues to help the Muslim community to procure and consume Halal with confi dence. As the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha arrived, and the Qurbani orders were received by butchers countrywide, HMC worked hard in the background to ensure that the Qurbani was completed according to the rules of Shari’ah.

This was extremely important as there have been many incidents that HMC has become aware of in the past couple of years where the Qurbani had not been done properly.

The Qurbani Scams 1. Last year, HMC found slaughterhouses

slaughtering Qurbani before the Eid Salah (and before dawn). Many are doing this so that meat can be delivered to eager customers early, unfortunately this practice renders the Qurbani void

2. We had learnt of some instances where meat “provided as Qurbani” was everyday normal meat prepared and sold in the shop. This was done to rid excess stock

3. We learnt of the Qurbani fi asco where animals were slaughtered by a non-Muslim in Scotland (see our newsletter http://www.halalmc.net/newsletters/issue12.pdf)

These are grave concerns and one which HMC has been seeking to address with improved systems and awareness.

HMC Assurance Scheme for Qurbani introducedThis year special HMC Qurbani procedures ensured HMC consumers bought their Qurbani meat with utmost confi dence. The scheme operated with the following measures to ensure Qurbani was undertaken according to the rules of Shari’ah;

1. Guidance Document - HMC sent a guidance document highlighting the rules of Shari’ah relating to Qurbani to all its certifi ed slaughterhouses that are performing Qurbani (http://www.halalmc.net/resources/udhiyyah.html#a)

2. Memorandum of Agreement - HMC received a signed document from all its certifi ed red meat slaughterhouses that were performing Qurbani to confi rm that they had read the guidance document and understand the shari’ah rulings and that they bought animals that were suitable for Qurbani and understood clearly the importance of the timing for Qurbani

3. Inspectors’ Presence - HMC is the only certifi cation organisation that provides inspectors and again on Eid Day inspectors were physically present on all three days of Eid for every Qurbani slaughter

4. New Special Qurbani Stamp - HMC introduced a new special stamp for Qurbani that was used on all Qurbani animals so that outlets and customers can clearly differentiate between normal Halal meat and those slaughtered for Qurbani

Alhamdulillah, through the above measures, HMC was able to ensure the Qurbani was done according to the rules of Shari’ah and consumers were not deceived with animals that were slaughtered before time, or slaughtered by non-Muslims.

Did HMC delay delivery of Qurbani?HMC has heard of one grievance relating to the Qurbani certifi cation procedures that they adopted that needs to be clarifi ed i.e. HMC delayed the delivery of Qurbani to shops and outlets?

In answer to this, HMC inspectors were present from after Eid Salah to certify Qurbani animals at slaughterhouses throughout the UK where HMC presence was requested. HMC inspectors were present to ensure the animal was eligible for Qurbani, the animal was slaughtered correctly and that the Qurbani was done at the correct time. Once this was done and the animal was stamped by the HMC inspector, the inspectors have no say where and when the animals are

delivered. This is totally at the discretion of the slaughterhouses.

Consumers need to be aware that the demand for Qurbani animals to be at the shops by Eid Day morning in every shop in the country is totally unrealistic. Consumer co-operation is needed to relieve the pressure on butchers as this pressure leads to abuse in the timing of the Qurbani.

The HMC Qurbani assurance scheme ensured no animals that might have been slaughtered before the offi cial Qurbani time made their way in to HMC shops and therefore the apparent delay can be regarded a success rather than a problem.

It is more important to receive a genuine Qurbani later in the day rather than an animal slaughtered before the Qurbani time early in the day.

Unfortunately, yet again, HMC has received distressing and disturbing news of some so-called Qurbanis that have been delivered to UK shops and were slaughtered up to 4 days before Eid Day! These stories are not new and are consistent with what we have been hearing for some years. HMC encourages all slaughterhouses and shops to work hard in ensuring the integrity of Qurbani for the pleasure of the Almighty and for the sake of the hard-working trusting Muslim consumers. HMC requests continued dua and support from all readers.

HMC Works to Ensure Your Qurbani / Udhiyyah is Halal “Fighting the Qurbani Scam”

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“HMC taking deceit

out of Qurbani” – Your Seal of Assurance.

Q. Is the rendition of the name of Allah a necessary condition at the time of slaughter?

A. Yes, the name of Allah is a necessary condition at the time of slaughter.

Allah says in the Quran, Surah Al An’aam, verse 121; ‘Eat not (O believers) of that (meat) on which Allâh’s Name has not been pronounced (at the time of the slaughtering of the animal), for sure it is Fisq (a sin and disobedience of Allâh) and Certainly, the Shayâtin (devils) do inspire their friends (from mankind) to dispute with you, and if You obey them [by making Al Maytatah (a dead animal) legal by eating it], Then You would indeed be Mushrikûn (polytheists) [because they (devils and their friends) made lawful to You to eat that which Allâh has made unlawful to eat and You obeyed them by considering it lawful to eat, and by doing so You worshipped them, and to Worship others besides Allâh is polytheism].’

Q. Can the name of Allah be recited by someone other the slaughterman who is slaughtering the animal?

A. The name of Allah has to be recited by the person slaughtering and not

someone else. If someone other than the person slaughtering recites the name of Allah, the animal will not be halal. Imam Hasfaki in the great scholarly work Durre Mukhtar has mentioned ‘the tasmiyah is a condition by the slaughterman (at the time of slaughter)’. The renowned 19th century scholar, Imam ibn Abideen mentions in Raddul Mukhtar in explaining the words ‘by the slaughterman’ says ‘this is to clarify that if someone other than the slaughterman who is physically carrying out the slaughter recites the tasmiyah, then the animal will not be halal.

(Raddul Mukhtar, Kitub Thabaaih vol. 9, page 438). This ruling makes the machine slaughter of KFC even more dubious as the machine is carrying out the slaughtering and there are apparently people (given the name of ‘licensed slaughtermen’) standing on the side, not involved with the slaughter, reciting the name of Allah as the chickens are slaughtered by the machine.

Fiqh Corner

Butchers Please check updated list of outlets at www.halalmc.org

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BatleyDadipatel Butchers43 Purlwell Lane, Batley

Mullaco35 Oxford Street, Batley

Sufi ’s Halal Meat & Veg1a Oxford Street, Batley

BirminghamBismillah Halal Meat2a Woodridge, Aston

Buywise Express62 - 64 High Street, Kings Heath, Birmingham

East & West Supermarket132-136 Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook

Maaz Supermarket229 Witton Road, Birmingham

New Medina Superstore109 - 111 Lozells Road, Birmingham

Pak Butchers317 - 319 Birchfi eld Road, Perry Barr

Pak Butchers121 - 125 Lozells Road, Birmingham

Pak Supermarket325 Washwood Heath Road, Birmingham

Hassan Bros. Supermarket285 - 286 Dudley Road, Winson Green

Rahman Butchers550 Coventry Road, Small Heath

Sheikh Brothers Ltd529 - 531 Coventry Road, Small Heath

BlackburnAl-Mecca Halal Meat189 Whalley Old Road, Blackburn

Anwar Halal Meat and Chicken78 London Road, Blackburn

Blackburn Halal Meat Co.2 Queens Park Road, Blackburn

Elin Distribution LtdNile House, Pump St, Blackburn

Haji’s Halal Meat158 St James Road, Blackburn

Halal Butchers221 Whalley New Road, Blackburn

Jamil Stores35-37 Pringle Street, Blackburn

K.Q.F Factory ShopGeorge St. West, Blackburn

Little Harwood Halal Meat244 Whalley Old Road, Blackburn

Marhaba Cash & Carry95 Whalley Range, Blackburn

Mehria Halal Meat2 Shear Brow, Blackburn

P K Foods239-249 Audley Range, Blackburn

Solkar Halal Butchers94 Audley Range, Blackburn

BoltonAl-Makkah Halal Meat297 Blackburn Road, Bolton

Makkah Halal Meat & Fish Store108 St Helens Road, Bolton

Pasha Mini Market341a Derby Street, Bolton

United Foodstore2 St Helens Road, Bolton

Zam Zam Grocers and Halal Meat336 Halliwell Road, Bolton

BradfordHafez Wahid Halal Meat9 - 11 Willow Street, Bradford

CoventryAl-Falah Mini Market 248 Harnall Lane East, Coventry

Ali Halal Meat211 Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry

Arin Foodstore132 Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry

Bismillah Halal Meat671 Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry

Medina Supermarket2 Mansel Street, Coventry

Naseer Halal Meat10 Station Street East, Coventry

Tahir Shah Halal Meat315 Foleshill Road, Coventry

DerbyPak Foods309-331 Normanton Road, Derby

DewsburyAppna Cash & CarryLong Causeway, Dewsbury

Mullaco54 Warren Street, Dewsbury

Mullaco SupermarketSlaithwaite Road, Dewsbury

GillinghamBismillah Halal Meat & Poultry199 Gillingham Road, Gillingham

GlasgowPakeeza Continental Foodstore287 Langside Road, Glasgow

HalifaxBilawal Halal Meat119 Gibbet Street, Halifax

Waseem Foodstore48 Parkinsons Lane, Halifax

LeicesterAdam’s Halal Meat241 Mere Road, Leicester

Ahmad Stores96 Nansen Road, Leicester

Al-Falah Halal Meat & Poultry17 Evington Valley Road, Leicester

Al-Islam Halal Meat323 St. Saviours Road, Leicester

Al-Jame Halal Butchers52 Kedleston Road, Leicester

Al-Noor Halal Meat114 Green Lane Rd, Leicester

Al-Rahmah Halal Meat & Poultry61 Cottesmore Road, Leicester

Al-Sharif General Store126 Wharf Street North, Leicester

Barkat Halal Meat Shop1a Guthlaxton Street, Leicester

Dayar-e-Medina2 Sidwell Street, Leicester

Hamzah Halal Butchers218 Green Lane Road, Leicester

I.F.C Halal Meat34 St Peters Road, Leicester

Islamia Halal Meat108 Earl Howe Street, Leicester

Jame Halal Meat299 St Saviours Road, Leicester

Jamia Halal Butchers102 Woodhill, Leicester

Jannat Halal Butchers5 Cross Street, Leicester

Lalee’s Halal Meat54 Berners Street, Leicester

Makdas Islamic Butchery81 Chatsworth Street, Leicester

M L Chicken & Meat57 - 60 Smith Dorrien Road, Leicester

Pak Foods269 - 271 Uppingham Road, Leicester

Rizwan Halal Meat9 Egginton Street, Leicester

Syed Kamal’s 162 Evington Road, Leicester

London - EastA M & Sons84 - 88 Belgrave Road, Ilford

A M & Sons (2)397 Green Street, Upton Park

Al-Ubed Halal Butchers90 Northwold Road, Clapton

A M & Sons (3)110 High Road, Leyton

Amaan Halal Butchers42 Upton Lane, Forest Gate

Unique Cash & Carry418 Katherine Road, Forest Gate

Budget Fair Cash & Carry51 - 53 Upton Lane, Forest Gate

Bismillah Halal Meat370 Ilford Lane, Ilford

Daniyal Halal Meat72 Goodmayes Road, Goodmayes

Darasalam Store48 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel

Dial-Halal Meat & Poultry404 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton

East End Halal Butchers 14 Fordham Street, Whitechapel

Golis Grocery110 Mile End Road, Whitechapel

Halal Bazar256 Bethnal Green Road

Halal Meat Bazar127 Chapman Street, Whitechapel

Halal Meat Corner Ltd305 Bethnal Green Road

Iman Halal Meat319 Green Street, Plaistow

Kashmir Halal Meat & Foodstore120 - 122 Katherine Road, East Ham

Khan Halal Meat 103 Burges Road, East Ham

La Bonne Boucherie49 Burdett Road, Mile End

Paradise Halal Butchers110a Lower Clapton Road, Hackney

Saj Halal Meat & Grocery184 Shrewsbury Road, Forest Gate

Stratford Mini Market48 Romford Road, Stratford

Taqwa Halal Meat133 Green Street, Forest Gate

TSB Convenience Store428 Katherine Road, Forest Gate

London - NorthFresh Foods 146 Pinner Road, Harrow

Insaf Supermarket151 - 153 West Hendon Broadway

Insha-Allah Halal Meat225 Preston Road, Wembley

Kabul-Beirut Supermarket8 Central Parade, Station Road,

Harrow

Nokta Food Centre210 Fore Street, Edmonton

London - South WestAl-Ramzan Foods126 - 128 Upper Tooting Road

Bangla Bazar117 Upper Tooting Road

Bismillah Halal Meat31 - 33 Bridgstock Road, Thornton Heath

Haji Yusuf Halal1039 London Road, Thornton Heath

Hamzah Halal Foods1439 London Road, Norbury

Lahore’s Halal Meat250 Upper Tooting Road, Tooting

Mirch Masala Halal Meat1575 London Road, Norbury

London - WestAl-Ansar15 Regina Road, Southall

Hanif Halal Meat181 The Broadway, Southall

Nayyar Halal Meat Ltd73 Oldfi elds Circus, Northolt

New Umama Halal Butcher23 King Street, Southall

Shaheen Halal Meat1322 Greenford Road, Greenford

LutonAl-Amin200 Biscot Road, Luton

Al-Halal Butchers116 Dunstable Road, Luton

Shapla Foods49 Denbigh Road, Luton

MaidenheadCostcutter108 North Town Road, Maidenhead

ManchesterAppna Foodstore95 Hamilton Rd, Longsight, Manchester

Appna Continental Cash & Carry19 Mitre Rd, Longsight, Manchester

Bismillah Halal Meat61 Ayres Road, Old Trafford

Bismillah Superstore100 York Ave, Whalley Range, Manchester

NewcastleMadina Foodstore35 Nunsmoor Road, Newcastle

Newcastle Halal Foodstore 28-30 West Road, Newcastle

Wahab Foodstore262a Mill Lane, Newcastle

NottinghamBismillah Food Store497 Alfreton Road, Nottingham

Hafi z Supermarket342 - 346 Radford Road, Nottingham

Medina Foodstore79 - 83 Radford Road, Nottingham

Pak Foods152 Sneinton Dale, Nottingham

PeterboroughMuhit’s Little ButchersUnit 4 Langford Buildings, Peterborough

PrestonMeats 4 U206 New Hall Lane, Preston

ReadingAl-Noor Food Stores67 - 69 Wokingham Road, Reading

RedditchAl-Waris Supermarket1 Smallwood Street, Redditch

SloughLa Kasbah27 Stoke Road, Slough

Salam (UK) Ltd332 Farnham Road, Slough

Stoke-On-TrentPak Foods50 Stoke Road, Stoke On Trent

SunderlandKhan Foodstore253 Chester Road, Sunderland

WolverhamptonPak Continental Supermarket1 - 3 Hunter Street, Wolverhampton

HMC Certifi ed OutletsListed here is our current list of HMC approved and certifi ed outlets who have agreed to only supply HMC certifi ed meat and poultry products. Please note that they are monitored on a regular basis and are only certifi ed as long as the certifi cates are on display at their premises.

Certifi cates may be removed at any time if the requirements are not being adhered to. Therefore please lookout for the certifi cates on display for your assurance. Please note, list is correct at time of going to press. Visit www.halalmc.org for an up to date listing.

emAiL: info@halalmc.org weB: www.halalmc.org teL: 0844 846 0340

NewcastleAyesha Sweethouse284 Stanhope Street, Newcastle

Kings Chicken52 St Andrews Street, Newcastle

Rayyan18 West Road, Newcastle

Sulaimaniy32 West Road, Newcastle

NottinghamAhmed’s Barbeque Delights135 - 137 Sneinton Dale, Nottingham

Ahmed’s Restaurant77 Radford Road, Nottingham

PrestonPapa’s Fried Chicken69 Meadow St, Deepdale, Preston

Popeye’s57 Marsh Lane, Preston

ReadingChicken Base144 Wokingham Road, Reading

WolverhamptonAvion Grill & Fast Food2 Bargate Drive, Wolverhampton

Caterers

BirminghamAsian Catering ServicesCobham Business Centre, Unit 2 - Cobham Road

BlackburnT.C.K Deli LtdA & S House, Fort Street, Blackburn

Schools

BlackburnTauheed-ul-Islam Girls High School31 Bicknell Street, Blackburn

Tino’s Chicken & Fish817 Romford Road, Manor Park

Zaaki Catering Ltd328 Ley Street, Ilford

Zaytun Restaurant114 Mile End Road, Stepney

Zu’s Sizzlers Ltd83 Green St, Upton Park

London - NorthTaste Of Lahore417 High Road, Wembley

Pepe’s Piri Piri413 - 415 High Road, Wembley

Pepe’s Piri Piri11 Watford Way, Hendon

London - South WestAl-Mirage Restaurant215 Upper Tooting Road

Dawat Restaurant200 Upper Tooting Road

Griller (1)1420 London Road, Norbury

La Pizza & Kebab House118 Upper Tooting Road

Spice Village Restaurant32 - 34 Upper Tooting Road

Tandoor Restaurant1423 London Road, Norbury

London - WestGriller (12)96 The Green, Southall

Pepe’s Piri Piri168 The Broadway, Southall

Shaik’s Restaurant47 - 49 Spring Grove Rd, Hounslow

LutonAl-Halal Chicken & Pizza Junction158 Dunstable Road, Luton

Buffet Lounge106 Dunstable Road, Luton

Karahi Centre122 Dunstable Road, Luton

Karahi Roti Junction399 Dunstable Road, Luton

Kashmiri Spice126 Leagrave Road, Luton

Shahi Nan Kebab205 Dunstable Road, Luton

Restaurants & Takeaways Please check updated list of outlets at www.halalmc.org

emAiL: info@halalmc.org weB: www.halalmc.org teL: 0844 846 0340 page ten

BatleyBar. B. Q. BaseUnits 1 & 2 - Town Street, Batley

Oasis Indian Restaurant268 Bradford Road, Batley

BirminghamAziz Pizza64 Lozells Road, Birmingham

Big Shak181 Birchfi eld Road, Birmingham

Broadway 2201 Birchfi eld Road, Birmingham

Hajee Spices Restaurant512 Stratford Road, Sparkhill

Mishtidesh Caterers546-546a Coventry Road, Small Heath

Mo Mo’s5 Whitmore Road, Birmingham

Shahi Masala Buffet Restaurant8 Burney Lane, Ward End, Birmingham

Spiceland87 Alum Rock Road, Birmingham

Western Mix551 Coventry Road, Birmingham

BlackburnBar B Q Base32a Darwen Street, Blackburn

Cha Cha’s2 Lime Street, Blackburn

Dixy Chicken108 Whalley New Road, Blackburn

Haji’s Takeaway358 Whalley Range, Blackburn

Hot ‘n’ Spicy Takeaway192 Burnley Road, Blackburn

Hustlerz65 Whalley New Road, Blackburn

Kebabish Original83 Whalley New Road, Blackburn

Mai’da Restaurant16 Eanam, Blackburn

Naafi ah Grill House 81 Victoria Street, Blackburn

Naafi ah Restaurant83 - 85 Victoria Street, Blackburn

Naz Kebab House100 Whalley New Road, Blackburn

Oasis Fastfoods NW Ltd40 - 42 Darwen Street, Blackburn

Originals195 Whalley Old Road, Blackburn

Pizza Island1 Charlotte Street, Blackburn

Shahi Qila6 Shear Bank Road, Blackburn

Sultan Fine Food Fast47 Whalley Range, Blackburn

T.C.K Deli Ltd39 Victoria Street, Blackburn

BoltonBar. B. Q. Base152 - 154 Derby Street, Bolton

Mash’s Wing Ranch24 St Helens Road, Bolton

Rice ‘N’ Three152 Deane Road, Bolton

BradfordCafé Regal4 - 12 Whetley Hill, Bradford

Dhesi Grill29 Lilycroft Road, Bradford

BurnleyKhan’s Pizza Hut56 Hurtley Street, Burnley

CoventryBangla Pride10 Henley Road, Coventry

Roti Junction215 Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry

Tasty ‘N’ Spicy31 Silver Street, Coventry

DerbyDixy Chicken305 Normanton Road, Derby

DewsburyAbbey PizzaUnit 5, South Street, Dewsbury

Dixy ChickenUnit 3 - Yorkshire House, South St, Dewsbury

HFC Fisheries Pizzas Ltd94 Saville Road, Dewsbury

Speedy PizzaUnit 4 - South Street, Dewsbury,

GillinghamPerfect BBQ Express146 High Street, Gillingham

Huddersfi eldTrinity Fisheries23 Westgate, Huddersfi eld

Trinity Fisheries101 Trinity Street, Huddersfi eld

Trinity HFC76 Trinty Street, Huddersfi eld

Trinity Pizzas87 Trinity Street, Huddersfi eld

LeicesterAisha’s181 Evington Road, Leicester

Al-Mashriq151 London Road, Leicester

Al-Tazaj Bar B Q Chicken 98 - 100a Woodhill, Leicester

An Najeeb Cuisine57b London Road, Leicester

Baguette De Cuisine161 Evington Road, Leicester

Bar. B. Q. Base60 Hartington Road, Leicester

Chicken Master214 Melbourne Road, Leicester

Delicious Corner173-177 Green Lane Road,

Leicester

Deshi Masala117 Green Lane Road, Leicester

Doner Express 210 Green Lane Road, Leicester

Food Corner124a Green Lane Road,

Leicester

Food Corner73 Cecil Road, Leicester

Gani’s Takeaway295 St Saviours Road, Leicester

Kadir Refreshments161 Loughborough Road,

Leicester

Khana Khazana329 St. Saviours Road, Leicester

La Mama Healthy Foods Ltd167 Evington Road, Leicester

Maomed Halal Fish & Chips38 Cecil Road, Leicester

Moghul Durbar136 - 138 East Park Rd, Leicester

Mowgli’s BBQ & Grill252 Humberstone Road,

Leicester

Peshawari Kebab54 Hartington Road, Leicester

Royal Chicken & Pizza54a Granby Street, Leicester

Royal Chicken & Pizza192 Evington Road, Leicester

Sparken Chicken72 Sparkenhoe Street, Leicester

The No. 1 Pizza & Kebab60 Vulcan Rd, Leicester

Ton Ton Chicken140 East Park Road, Leicester

Zaytoun9 Highfi eld Street, Leicester

London - EastA’la Pizza28 Upton Lane, Forest Gate

A’la Pizza201 Mile End Road, Mile End

Ahmed’s Perfect Fried Chicken61 Vicarage Lane, Stratford

AJ’s Chicken & Pizza221 Ley Street, Ilford, Essex

Al-Farooq Kebabish435 Barking Road, East Ham

Al-Farooq Kebabish84 Upton Lane, Forest Gate

Al-Farooq Kebabish730 Lea Bridge Road, Waltham

Forest

Al Firdous Restaurant & Takeaway187 Plashet Road, Forest Gate

Al-Haq’s Family Restaurant65 Queens Road, Walthamstow

Al-Madina54 Cannon Street Road,

Whitechapel,

Aladdin’s BBQ & Grill121 Ley Street, Ilford

Baraka EateryLondon Muslim Centre, 38-40 Whitechapel Rd

Bar B Q Base106 Mile End Road, Whitechapel

Bar B Q Base832 Romford Road, Manor Park

BBQ XPress826 High Road, Leyton

Creamz Diner119 New Road, Whitechapel

Dixy Chicken282 Barking Road, East Ham

Dixy Fried Chicken372 High Street North, Manor

Park

Euro Fried Chicken & Pizza90 Upton Lane, Forest Gate

Griller (6)649 High Road, Seven Kings

Griller (3)63 Goodmayes Road, Goodmayes

Griller (5)200 High Street, Walthamstow

GrillFellas88 Katherine Road, East Ham

Hyderabadi Spice309 High Street North, Manor Park

Jungle Braai Barbeque115 Wood Street, Walthamstow

Kashmir Kebabish45 Chatsworth Road, Clapton

Khushbu Grill House74 Whitechapel High Street

Lahore XPress265 Bethnal Green Road

Lahore XPress99 Green Street, Forest Gate

London Fried Chicken112 - 116 Whitechapel Rd, Tower Hamlets

Madina Kebabish85a Upton Lane, Forest Gate

Maedah Grill 42 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel

Mai’da Indian Eatery148 - 150 Bethnal Green Rd

Mauritian Delights409 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton

Mirch Masala Restaurant7 - 13 Goodmayes Road, Ilford

Pizza Pan16 Terrace Road, Plaistow

Rayyan Indian Cuisine251 Cranbrook Road, Ilford

Shawarma King72 High Road, Leyton

Signature Hyderabad107 Green Street, Forest Gate

Summam Fast Foods8 Station Parade, Upper Clapton Rd

Tandoori Nites235 East India Dock Road, Poplar

Taste Of India340 High Street North, Manor Park

The Grill Restaurant Ltd392 High Street North, Manor Park

The Salt & Pepper Lahori Cuisine704 Romford Road, Manor Park

Tino’s Chicken & Fish

As a revert/convert to Islam I can’t say I was that excited about the launch of “Halal” KFC. I had eaten my fair share of tower burgers, popcorn chicken and scalding hot sweetcorn. I think many Muslims in Britain have grown up with KFC adverts extolling the virtues of the colonels special recipe chicken. So for them, the prospect of being able to eat KFC after being forbidden from eating it their entire lives was very exciting. E-mails spread like wildfire, ranging from KFC is Halal to claims that KFC was certified by HMC. Without checking or verifying, many brothers and sisters rushed to KFC.

The branches trialling the “Halal” products had their largest sales in history with scores of Muslims queuing down the street outside. My wife had been brought to KFC by another sister and they also had a finger lickin’ experience. Being slightly more cautious, I viewed the website of KFC to find out if it was really true. What I read initially surprised me and later disgusted me as in answer to the question ‘have you changed your suppliers of chicken?’, KFC wrote, ’we still continue to use the same suppliers as previously’ - the same suppliers used by major retailers in the UK. This immediately rang alarm bells in my head. Sainsburys, Tescos and the like were hardly the places I rushed to when I thought of buying my Halal meat. After reading more, I discovered that the company signing off the Halal process was the ‘Halal Food Authority’ (HFA). I didn’t really know anything about the HFA so I decided to look at their website. I discovered from their own website that they approve machine slaughter and claim

that this does not make the animal Haram. With a basic understanding of the Halal slaughter method, even I knew that the vast majority of scholars do not allow machine slaughter. I decided to contact the HFA and ask under whose guidance they made what the majority of Ulama consider Haram to be Halal?

I sent several e-mails with no response so I called them. They failed to provide names of scholars who had approved their machine slaughter method and repeated the mantra ‘mechanised slaughter does not render the chicken/bird Haram!’ and said that they have been established for a long time in the UK. My anger increased as I spoke to the imams and scholars in East London all within a 2 mile radius of three KFC outlets. I met with at least twenty different scholars and did not find one that approved the method of machine slaughter. I have sent questions to KFC and HFA as they claim to listen to consumers and asked whether they have consulted the local Imams where they introduced so-called Halal outlets and I am yet to receive a response six months on.

I decided to inform unsuspecting Muslims in the area so with a colleague of mine we spent our lunch breaks after Salah and after work distributing a simple flyer with information on the issue. Some of the staff came out from KFC and spoke to us and were extremely surprised that this was the type of Halal they were selling. Previous to the Halal certification, they had been selling Haram meat but everyone who walked through their doors knew that. Now at last they thought they were doing

something good. One employee said, “I will quit my job”, he was not happy. We spoke to hundreds of people and most thanked us and took their business elsewhere. The HFA spent the next few weeks visiting the branches on a daily basis talking to staff. The irony is that after certification they hardly visit the slaughterhouse, restaurants or butchers.

Something very important came out of this time we had spent. As Muslims we put our trust in the seller that when they claim something is Halal, then it is. Unfortunately this is not the case; other Halal restaurants in the area did not even know if their meat was mechanically or manually slaughtered. I myself then contacted trading standards who stated that as there is no definition for Halal in the UK they can not act. This in effect means that any person can set up a business, let’s say for example a fast food chicken shop, call it Halal and sell Haram meat to Muslims. I was surprised that no one had raised this issue, although, I have noticed that the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has drafted guidelines for a definition of Halal slaughter. They have over 500 Muslim organisations under their wing and define Halal slaughter as not stunned and manually slaughtered. We should support them in bringing into legislation a legal definition for Halal. Please brothers and sisters ask if your butcher or restaurant is selling mechanically slaughtered meat. If they are or don’t know, eat somewhere else.

Brother Kelvin, East London

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